Twenty-Six
LYRA
Iawoke to the shadow of branches swaying against the blackened ceiling of Kaden’s bedchamber. Soft golden light beamed through the window and the partially obliterated ceiling, but Kaden had magicked away the worst of the damage and the lingering stench of smoke.
I considered telling him I liked the room better this way, with part of the ceiling gone, the surrounding trees canopied the chamber, sheltering us with their lush green branches.
I should have been sated after our savage lovemaking on the forest floor, but I found I was just as ravenous for my mate as I had been all those nights we spent apart. A pleasant soreness between my legs conjured memories of our joining, and the cool silk of the bedsheets felt exquisite against my naked skin.
Rolling over, I found Kaden sprawled flat on his back, the sheets tangled around his waist to expose his naked torso.
I smiled at the sight of him, his face boyish and relaxedin sleep. His dark lashes brushed the tops of his cheekbones, and a few strands of midnight hair softened his chiseled jawline. Even the swirling tattoos that covered his chest were calm as he slept.
Unable to resist touching him, I traced the proud ridge of his nose, his scruffy jaw, and his swollen bottom lip. The small hurt I’d made with my teeth the night before had already healed, and I longed to kiss him again.
Kaden twitched in his sleep, batting my hand away, and my smile grew.
Inching closer, I leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to his left pectoral, making a trail down his chest until I reached the ridges of his abs.
Kaden stiffened, and when I glanced up, I saw him watching me through hooded eyes. The sheet was tented over his hardening length, and fresh heat bloomed between my thighs.
“See what you do to me, little huntress?” he rumbled, his voice rough from sleep. “You torture me even in my dreams.”
I grinned, tugging down the blankets as I crawled over him and drew him into my mouth.
Kaden let out a carnal moan, tilting his head back to expose the long column of his throat. The sight was incredibly arousing — this powerful male completely at my mercy as I took him deeper.
“Fuck,” he gritted out, his expression growing tight as I swirled my tongue around him.
His abdominals clenched as he writhed beneath me, and I burned with an almost painful need as I watched a muscle feather in his jaw.
“Lyra, I’m —”
He broke off at the next sensuous sweep of my tongue, reaching behind him to grip the headboard as I sucked him harder.
The bed creaked and groaned as his whole body tensed, and he spilled onto my tongue with a shout.
Pure, female satisfaction filled me as he emptied himself in my mouth, opening his eyes to watch as I drank him down.
Kaden stilled, and the headboard squeaked again as it settled back into place. I pulled off him slowly, licking my lips, and a feral gleam came into his eyes.
That was my only warning before he lunged forward, gripping me firmly under the arms and hauling me over top of him.
I landed with my thighs splayed on either side of his head, and my whole body flushed with heat as he used his hands to spread me wider.
A shaky moan slipped out of me as Kaden parted me with his tongue, swirling lazily at my entrance before grazing his teeth down my center.
I cried out, rocking forward onto the pillows to give him better access. Kaden’s grip on my thighs tightened, pushing them apart as he feasted. His low groan vibrated against my sensitive flesh, sending unbearable jolts of pleasure zinging down my spine.
“Fuck . . .Kaden,” I whispered, using the headboard for leverage as I rocked against his face. His stubble intensified every sensation, and thattongue. . .
I’d been right to think it wicked.
Sweat beaded on my chest as my breasts grew heavy with need. As if he could sense how badly they ached for his touch, he reached up to tease my nipple.
I whimpered at the sensation, grinding against him as I broke apart and riding each aching surge.
Kaden groaned, lapping at me hungrily, and a strangled sob wrenched from my throat as I went limp against him.
